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The last time famed pianist Olga Kern came through San Jose, she was fresh off a gold medal from the Van Cliburn piano competition, the Super Bowl of classical music without all the commercials, drunken enthusiasm and violence. The first woman in 30 years to win the prestigious award, Kern has been winning over audiences around the world ever since.
Kern makes a return appearance in San Jose by way of the Steinway Society on Sept. 13 at 8 p.m. and Sept. 14 at 4 p.m. Her performance is much awaited by local audiences who saw her after the 2001 Cliburn win.
"She was getting standing ovations at intermission and after the show," said Norval Nelson, president of the Steinway Society. "She gives a great concert."
Performing pieces from Bach, Brahms, Rachmaninoff and Liszt, Kern's recital program will vary on each day.
Known for having a passionate and confident stage presence, Kern has been honing her skills since the age of 5 when she first took a piano lesson. It seems that music is in her blood and a large part of her family lore. Her great-great grandmother was a friend of Tchaikovsky, and her great-grandmother sang with Rachmaninoff. By the age of 17, Kern was already winning major international piano competitions.
The Cliburn award brings with it significant exposure, including hard-to-come-by concert engagements, CD recordings and career management. She has since performed with the Boston Pops, played the Kennedy Center and toured extensively around the world, and her recordings include the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 and a solo of Liszt/Rachmaninoff transcriptions that she is currently working on.
Kern's two-concert appearance kicks off the Steinway Society's 10th season.
The nonprofit organization will welcome back fellow Cliburn winner and local favorite Jon Nakamatsu in January. Those interested in the blossoming careers of the next generation Cliburn winners will want to check out the society's Young Artist Concert on Feb. 8 next year, when a hand-selected group of the Bay Area's brightest stars will perform.
Tickets for the Steinway Society concert at Le Petit Trianon are $25 to $35 and include a reception with the artist. For tickets and more information, call 408.246.4200 or go to www.steinwaythebayarea.com.
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